Supermercado Sucata in Ribeira Funda is one of Sal’s largest supermarkets, offering wide variety, a café and generally lower prices than Santa Maria. Watch for confusing labels and unclear pricing: check shelves carefully and ask before paying at the till.
When you drive in with expectations and park with doubts
Supermercado Sucata isn’t a place you usually stumble upon by accident. Most people come because they’ve heard it’s “the biggest on the island”, or because they’ve driven over from Santa Maria planning a serious shop. The building looks promising, the space feels substantial… and for the first few minutes, everything seems fine.
Then you start paying closer attention to the prices.
A large supermarket in local context
Sucata is, without much debate, one of the largest supermarkets on the island, especially by Sal standards. Located in Ribeira Funda near Espargos, it works as a main shopping hub for many local residents.
It’s not a European hypermarket, but it is a spacious setup, with long aisles, defined sections and a genuine feeling that “there’s a bit of everything here”.
A lot of variety… genuinely
Range is one of its strongest points. Food, drinks, hygiene products, meat, fish, frozen goods, appliances, DIY items, decoration — and a few things you wouldn’t expect in a regular supermarket.
One detail that comes up often: pet products and vegan/vegetarian options, still relatively rare on the island. There’s also a café inside, which tends to surprise people in a good way and becomes a strategic break mid-shop.
It’s not just shopping. It’s spending more time than planned.
Where confusion starts
This is the big drawback. The pricing system isn’t always clear. Some labels don’t match the product, names are misplaced, or prices leave you unsure what you’ll actually pay until you reach the checkout.
Some shoppers find better prices than in Santa Maria and a fairer exchange rate. Others leave frustrated, unsure what things really cost. Both experiences exist side by side.
Decent, but uneven
Service is generally described as helpful, with staff willing to assist if you ask. That said, English isn’t always spoken, which can complicate things if you need detailed clarification.
The pace is relaxed, unhurried, and the space helps avoid feeling crowded even when it’s busy.
Inflated expectations
If you arrive expecting something dramatically better than smaller supermarkets, you may feel underwhelmed. Some visitors walk the whole place and decide the drive from Santa Maria wasn’t really worth it.
It’s also worth knowing what isn’t available: there are no baby products, which catches some people off guard.
Read, ask, confirm
Check labels carefully and don’t assume prices.
If something feels off, ask before heading to the till.
Use the café if the shop drags on.
Come with time and without rushing mentally.
Useful, spacious, with small print
Supermercado Sucata offers size, variety and a strategic alternative to the more tourist-heavy shopping options. When everything lines up, it’s one of the best places for a full shop on the island.
It just demands attention, patience and a bit of context. This isn’t autopilot shopping — and that’s probably the key to enjoying it.
Sucata isn’t confusing. It just asks more from the shopper.
